Pull up the boot straps and batten down the hatches. Next meeting it's here we go again!!
A meeting presumed by some to be swift and uneventful turned out to be quit a surprise with all CM present. The Communications – City Officials portion of the meeting cooked up some heated discussion.
Cm Gahan labored on with his pursuit for financial accountability from the sewer board. “All I am asking here is for someone to give me a legitimate budget that the board has voted to approve. That’s not asking too much is it?” There was not much discussion at this point. After all who wants to sign on to a budget with that balance sheet?
CM Price brought to the attention of the council a list of possible road/ally closures by CSX for railroad repairs along 15th street. After some discussion council seemed to agree that the work was going to be done to benefit CSX and not the City of New Albany. I understand CSX stands to gain funds from the state if the tracks and crossings are deemed safer. I guess if a large corporation profits in some way it must be bad for someone. On a side bar here, Cm Price definitely made it sound like he was in communication with CSX and that they were working with him on this issue. When Cm Price was prodded for a second time as to who he was talking to and who gave him this information, amidst a few chuckles from a council member or two and a few from the peanut gallery, he confessed Valla Ann gave them to me. Now you all can hate this woman all you want and say what you wish. As for me I always strive to find a positive within everyone. Regardless of how you see her motives, Valla Ann is a “Go-Getter”. May I suggest reading the book by Peter B. Kyne? It is one of my favorites.
CM Coffey brought to council’s attention his concern that EMC is forcing people to sign confidentiality agreements or lose their jobs to prevent dishonorable information from reaching the public. He states again that we should discontinue our relationship with this company. Later in the miscellaneous communications portion, EMC states this is an issue with just one particular employee who is leaving the company and the information EMC wants kept confidential is related solely to the personal issues between the employee and EMC.
Back to the Communications-City Officials portion, CM Blevens jumps on the Gahan band wagon to revisit the sewer board budget. After repeatedly asking why the sewer board has not signed off on this budget CM Kochert finally gave in and said it is because the president of the board (The Mayor) hasn’t presented it to us to vote on!! I think I will give 20-1 odds that the Mayor “WILL” be at the next council meeting!! For those of you who read the Kathy Copas post from this site that the Tribune published, if you know business people looking to check out New Albany by sitting in on a council meeting, have them skip this next one.
Three more properties have been cleaned up at a total cost to the city of just $6,500.00. Of course if we ever collect that money it will go into the general fund where it will be lost forever.
CM Coffey pulled an ordinance to appropriate funds to the storm water dept. He doesn’t like their budget and is sure that they have spent some of the money not yet appropriated to them. This topic is another reason to follow the suggestion from two paragraphs preceding.
Look for some “special” council meetings to be called soon and beware the notice can be as little as 48hrs.
I will miss the next meeting. Hope to see video back in service.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
The Veteran
"The Veteran"Today I was reminded of what time could not eraseAs I walked through the halls I felt a sadness in this placeA building filled with history our books will never seeTheir stories are the pages locked inside their memoryIt's one of many you will find that's scattered everywhereThese people come here hoping to receive the proper careI saw a few in wheelchairs and so many used a caneSome walked just fine but in their eyes was where I saw the painThese Heroes have been marked for life all here surrounding meThey've shed their blood while other's died to keep this country freeI still remember stories of a war my dad went throughEach one was told with Army Pride he called it "World War II"And later "The Korean War" forced troops to say good-byeBecause Korea's North and South could not see eye to eyeThen "Vietnam" decided too raise up it's ugly headLike all the wars, the damage left so many people deadWhen troops came home they had to face another kind of warA "War of Words" that added wounds as if they needed moreThe latest war was televised for all the world to seeCalled "Operation Desert Storm" performed so perfectlyThis war had ended quickly but our troops cannot forgetThey're constantly reminded that the "Storm's" not over yetThese wars do not discriminate religion, sex or raceThe bombs, grenades and poison gas take lives we can't replaceAnd weapons don't have boundaries they claim what's in their wayWhat will it take to stop these wars right here, right now, todayOur troops are thought so highly of when they are called to warBut when it's over they are not remembered anymoreAnd what about the one's still lost are they forgotten too?Is anyone still searching for the one's who fought for youThese men and women suffer more than you will ever knowWhen war is over they still fight a war that doesn't showEach one deserves the very best for what they have been throughYour proof is VA Hospitals I'm sure there's one near youWe all want Peace and Harmony but something's always wrongThese buildings might become extinct if we could get alongMy husband fought the last two wars, which stole the heart he hadHe wears that look of war abuse just like my precious dadI don't have all the answers but I know one thing for sureThe anger has to leave before a healing can occurAmerica is free because of Veterans todayAnd more of them still yet to come will also have to paySo when you exercise your rights remember "Why" you canYou see, I can't forget because I am "The Veteran"© By: Freda H. Babinski 9-2-97Tndeer1@aol.com http://www.geocities.com/fredaheavensent/(Dedication)I dedicate this to every Veteran, past, present and future. "God Bless You"
Momma is a Soldier
Momma Is a Soldier
I woke up one bright morning And I heard my momma say
I heard her telling DaddyThat she had to leave that day
I knew that she'd be gone awhileJust like she was before...
And I looked with love at her smiling face As she walked out of the door
Oh Daddy did the best he could He was so good and kind
I think he tried to make up forWhen momma left me behind
You see she is a soldierShe must go when duty calls
But she doesn't know I don'tunderstand All those papers on the wall
The last time Momma left us My tears begin to fall
She told me not to cry for her To watch the papers on the wall
That she'd be back to love me And we'd laugh and play again
That she'd be leaving messagesUntil we'd meet again...
She loved to serve her country Was so I could be free
My momma was a soldier first And then a mom to me...
Now she is an angel...Her plane crashed in the sea
She won't be coming backTo laugh and play with me
Yes, Momma was a soldier She stood brave and tall
Now all I have to play withIs her medal on the wall...
Author: Jene Lindaman
I woke up one bright morning And I heard my momma say
I heard her telling DaddyThat she had to leave that day
I knew that she'd be gone awhileJust like she was before...
And I looked with love at her smiling face As she walked out of the door
Oh Daddy did the best he could He was so good and kind
I think he tried to make up forWhen momma left me behind
You see she is a soldierShe must go when duty calls
But she doesn't know I don'tunderstand All those papers on the wall
The last time Momma left us My tears begin to fall
She told me not to cry for her To watch the papers on the wall
That she'd be back to love me And we'd laugh and play again
That she'd be leaving messagesUntil we'd meet again...
She loved to serve her country Was so I could be free
My momma was a soldier first And then a mom to me...
Now she is an angel...Her plane crashed in the sea
She won't be coming backTo laugh and play with me
Yes, Momma was a soldier She stood brave and tall
Now all I have to play withIs her medal on the wall...
Author: Jene Lindaman
Remember Me
TO REMEMBER ME-Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face or thelove in the eyes of a woman.Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless daysof pain.Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk. If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses and all prejudice against my fellow man. Give my sins to the devil. Give my soul to God. If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word tosomeone who needs you. If you do all I have asked I will live forever. Robert N. Test
Memorial Day Special Posts
I'll be gone for the long weeekend so, here are some special thoughts for Memorial Day.
A Soldier's Christmas
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,Transforming the yard to a winter delight.The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,Secure and surrounded by love I would sleepin perfect contentment, or so it would seem.So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear.Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,and I crept to the door just to see who was near.Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years oldPerhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child."What are you doing?" I asked without fear"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,to the window that danced with a warm fire's lightthen he sighed and he said "Its really all right,I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night""Its my duty to stand at the front of the line,that separates you from the darkest of times.No one had to ask or beg or implore me,I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'NamAnd now it is my turn and so, here I am.I've not seen my own son in more than a while,But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,The red white and blue... an American flag."I can live through the cold and the being alone,Away from my family, my house and my home,I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat,I can carry the weight of killing anotheror lay down my life with my sisters and brotherswho stand at the front against any and all,to insure for all time that this flag will not fall.""So go back inside," he said, "harbor no frightYour family is waiting and I'll be all right.""But isn't there something I can do, at the least,"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?It seems all too little for all that you've done,For being away from your wife and your son."Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,"Just tell us you love us, and never forgetTo fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.To stand your own watch, no matter how long.For when we come home, either standing or dead,to know you remember we fought and we bledis payment enough, and with that we will trust.That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.Michael MarksDecember 7th, 2000marksman@patriot.net
A Soldier's Christmas
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,Transforming the yard to a winter delight.The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,Secure and surrounded by love I would sleepin perfect contentment, or so it would seem.So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear.Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,and I crept to the door just to see who was near.Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years oldPerhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child."What are you doing?" I asked without fear"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,to the window that danced with a warm fire's lightthen he sighed and he said "Its really all right,I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night""Its my duty to stand at the front of the line,that separates you from the darkest of times.No one had to ask or beg or implore me,I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'NamAnd now it is my turn and so, here I am.I've not seen my own son in more than a while,But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,The red white and blue... an American flag."I can live through the cold and the being alone,Away from my family, my house and my home,I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat,I can carry the weight of killing anotheror lay down my life with my sisters and brotherswho stand at the front against any and all,to insure for all time that this flag will not fall.""So go back inside," he said, "harbor no frightYour family is waiting and I'll be all right.""But isn't there something I can do, at the least,"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?It seems all too little for all that you've done,For being away from your wife and your son."Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,"Just tell us you love us, and never forgetTo fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.To stand your own watch, no matter how long.For when we come home, either standing or dead,to know you remember we fought and we bledis payment enough, and with that we will trust.That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.Michael MarksDecember 7th, 2000marksman@patriot.net
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Democrat Council At-Large Candidates In Trouble This November?
UNDER VOTES AND WHY THEY COUNT
I have to ask my readers a question. If a candidate is running unopposed and you don’t vote for that candidate, what is the reason? For me, since there is no yes or no vote as with an issue, that would be how I cast a NO vote. I am saying that I am not pleased with this candidate on my ballot and want someone different. Am I the only one here that thinks this way? Please let me know if my thinking is flawed.
The reason I must ask is that using the “coop method” of predicting possible outcomes in the general election coming this November, I see a startling figure. But first, let’s take a look at the averages and compare.
In this primary race in races with more than one candidate, other than council at-large, the average percentage of voters voting “none of the above” is 5%.
Staying within the range that I believe to be acceptable, (under 15%) are two of the uncontested races. Hubbard gets a 6% NO vote and Abersold 8%. Gahan is border line with 20%. Benedetti 23% and Wiseman 27% may find themselves in trouble come November. If 25% of voters in your party are not going to vote for you in an uncontested race in your primary, that should be a concern to you.
Now for the startling figure I lead into. Check out the NO votes or “none of the above” from the council at-large ballots.
Council at-large;
Republicans 25%
Democrats 40%
Folks that is a startling figure!! You can call under votes anything you want but, if you can turn that 40% into something positive for the Democrat council at large candidates, please show me.
I know it’s not a fair comparison to use contested and non contested races in the same context but, humor me. How striking are some of these differences . Below is a list of the percentage of votes lost from their own party in this primary and comparing it with their November counter parts.
England 2%
Hubbard 6%
Wiseman 27%
Hornung 7%
Coffey 6%
??????????
Caesar 6%
Harbison 4%
Price 5%
??????????
Mclaughlin 8%
Abersold 8%
Benedetti 23%
Bliss 3%
Gahan 20%
Stewart 4%
Hollis
Gonder 40%
Messer
Zurschmiede
Berryman 25%
Burks
For entertainment and discussion purposes only. Not a scientific study.
I have to ask my readers a question. If a candidate is running unopposed and you don’t vote for that candidate, what is the reason? For me, since there is no yes or no vote as with an issue, that would be how I cast a NO vote. I am saying that I am not pleased with this candidate on my ballot and want someone different. Am I the only one here that thinks this way? Please let me know if my thinking is flawed.
The reason I must ask is that using the “coop method” of predicting possible outcomes in the general election coming this November, I see a startling figure. But first, let’s take a look at the averages and compare.
In this primary race in races with more than one candidate, other than council at-large, the average percentage of voters voting “none of the above” is 5%.
Staying within the range that I believe to be acceptable, (under 15%) are two of the uncontested races. Hubbard gets a 6% NO vote and Abersold 8%. Gahan is border line with 20%. Benedetti 23% and Wiseman 27% may find themselves in trouble come November. If 25% of voters in your party are not going to vote for you in an uncontested race in your primary, that should be a concern to you.
Now for the startling figure I lead into. Check out the NO votes or “none of the above” from the council at-large ballots.
Council at-large;
Republicans 25%
Democrats 40%
Folks that is a startling figure!! You can call under votes anything you want but, if you can turn that 40% into something positive for the Democrat council at large candidates, please show me.
I know it’s not a fair comparison to use contested and non contested races in the same context but, humor me. How striking are some of these differences . Below is a list of the percentage of votes lost from their own party in this primary and comparing it with their November counter parts.
England 2%
Hubbard 6%
Wiseman 27%
Hornung 7%
Coffey 6%
??????????
Caesar 6%
Harbison 4%
Price 5%
??????????
Mclaughlin 8%
Abersold 8%
Benedetti 23%
Bliss 3%
Gahan 20%
Stewart 4%
Hollis
Gonder 40%
Messer
Zurschmiede
Berryman 25%
Burks
For entertainment and discussion purposes only. Not a scientific study.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
New Albany Council vs Clarksville Council Tonight!!
Clarksville Council has nothing on the New Albany City Council. Well, at least not at election time. In Clarksville type warp speed of 45 minutes and Clarksville like results, 100% passage with unanimous votes, we can be certain election time is near.
On a serious and more positive note, I do favor our council over C-vill for the very reason that they do conduct most of their business on the record and in front of their constituents that are able and willing to attend the open meetings. Could you imagine how messed up this city would be if this council was conducting most of its business privately and off public record. A concept for a Steven King movie Perhaps?
As far as the meeting; Foam Fabricators Inc had their abatement pulled from agenda.
James Jones Popcorn Inc had their abatement pass.
Council voted to amend it's own rules and allow for all three readings of the ordinance authorizing a lease and sublease agreement for the equipping of an Economic Development facility. It passed all three readings.
They passed first reading of the zoning ordinance for Graceland to build ball fields. However CM Coffey had to make sure all the lights are off and the children will be away from the roads, quiet and tucked into their beds by 10:00 p.m. Does anyone know how that race is going? Could he be running behind??
Readings two and three of the sewer engineer/manager passed. There was quite a bit of circular conversation on this one. CM Gahan had some good questions and was concerned with where the pay would be coming from and why there is not a budget to show these facts. CM Coffey is determined to save the city money and get the new engineer/manager to be the City Engineer as well. He can do both jobs if we can pay him a little more money. By the way, does anyone know how that race is going? Could he be running behind??
Appropriations passed 2nd and 3rd readings.
G-06-21 The fire dept ordinance was removed from the table by CM Blevens before the 3rd reading of the tabled ordinance. The reason? The FD union leadership claims that the union membership supports a merit system!! That merit system will contain rules for hiring practices!! So which hiring system will take precedent, the administrations or the FD merit system? I guess we will see if the administration really just wanted a hiring ordinance or if they wanted control. Again, something is going to have to give.
CM Schmidt wants to revisit the notion of councilmen who serve on the sewer board being compensated for that effort. CM Coffey agreed and also wants to see them get full voting rights on the board. Say what?? And from whom?? I am curious; does anyone know how that race is going? Could he be running behind??
Theresa was sure giddy tonight and seemed to be looking toward some kind of a party soon.
On a serious and more positive note, I do favor our council over C-vill for the very reason that they do conduct most of their business on the record and in front of their constituents that are able and willing to attend the open meetings. Could you imagine how messed up this city would be if this council was conducting most of its business privately and off public record. A concept for a Steven King movie Perhaps?
As far as the meeting; Foam Fabricators Inc had their abatement pulled from agenda.
James Jones Popcorn Inc had their abatement pass.
Council voted to amend it's own rules and allow for all three readings of the ordinance authorizing a lease and sublease agreement for the equipping of an Economic Development facility. It passed all three readings.
They passed first reading of the zoning ordinance for Graceland to build ball fields. However CM Coffey had to make sure all the lights are off and the children will be away from the roads, quiet and tucked into their beds by 10:00 p.m. Does anyone know how that race is going? Could he be running behind??
Readings two and three of the sewer engineer/manager passed. There was quite a bit of circular conversation on this one. CM Gahan had some good questions and was concerned with where the pay would be coming from and why there is not a budget to show these facts. CM Coffey is determined to save the city money and get the new engineer/manager to be the City Engineer as well. He can do both jobs if we can pay him a little more money. By the way, does anyone know how that race is going? Could he be running behind??
Appropriations passed 2nd and 3rd readings.
G-06-21 The fire dept ordinance was removed from the table by CM Blevens before the 3rd reading of the tabled ordinance. The reason? The FD union leadership claims that the union membership supports a merit system!! That merit system will contain rules for hiring practices!! So which hiring system will take precedent, the administrations or the FD merit system? I guess we will see if the administration really just wanted a hiring ordinance or if they wanted control. Again, something is going to have to give.
CM Schmidt wants to revisit the notion of councilmen who serve on the sewer board being compensated for that effort. CM Coffey agreed and also wants to see them get full voting rights on the board. Say what?? And from whom?? I am curious; does anyone know how that race is going? Could he be running behind??
Theresa was sure giddy tonight and seemed to be looking toward some kind of a party soon.
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